Washoe County Board of Adjustment Meeting - January 5, 2026
Washoe County Board of Adjustment Meeting - January 5, 2026
The Washoe County Board of Adjustment met on January 5, 2026, at 9:00 AM (adjourned at 12:05 PM) to consider two special use permit applications: one for grading and driveway construction on a steep lakeshore parcel (WSUP 25-0020) and another for a 150-megawatt battery energy storage system (WSUP 25-0024). Both items were approved unanimously with conditions.
Consent Calendar
- Agenda Approval: Motion by Rob, second by Pat Caldwell to accept the January 5, 2026 agenda as written. Passed unanimously (5-0).
- Minutes Approval: Motion by Rob, second by Pack Caldwell to accept the December 4, 2025 draft minutes as written. Passed unanimously.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Item 8A (Lakeshore Grading): Five written public comments were received opposing the project, citing concerns about dangerous conditions on State Route 28, erosion, sediment, and potential eyesore if abandoned. No oral public comment was offered in chambers or via Zoom.
- Item 8B (Dodge Flat Energy Storage): No public comments were received.
Discussion Items
8A. Special Use Permit WSUP 25-0020 – Lakeshore Grading
- Proposal: Construct a driveway traversing slopes ≥30% and a berm >4.5 feet in the front yard setback on a 1.32-acre lakeside parcel near State Route 28 in the Tahoe Crystal Bay area. The grading would accommodate a driveway and single-family residence.
- History: Two prior SUPs (February 2021 and May 2023) were approved but expired due to funding delays from the COVID-19 pandemic. The current proposal is identical.
- Agency Reviews: 24 agencies were circulated; conditions from NDOT, Washoe County Traffic, Sheriff’s Office, and Engineering. NDOT’s encroachment permit is pending (applicant met with NDOT in November 2025).
- Public Concerns: Opposition comments raised safety, erosion, and abandonment issues. Applicant noted slope stabilization using walls, revegetation, and erosion mats. A neighboring property was cited as an example of abandoned grading.
- Staff Recommendation: Approval with conditions, finding that grading meets best practices and impacts are mitigated.
8B. Special Use Permit WSUP 25-0024 – Dodge Flat Energy Storage
- Proposal: A 150-megawatt (600 MWh, 4-hour duration) battery energy storage system on 13 acres within an 80-acre parcel, adjacent to the existing Dodge Flat Solar Energy Center (operational since 2022). Uses existing substation and new 1.2-mile collection lines.
- Grading: 8.1 acres permanent, 17.9 acres temporary disturbance; cut/fill volumes within code. No permanent staff; occasional maintenance.
- Waivers: Requested waivers from parking and landscaping standards due to remote location and lack of irrigation. Staff supported both.
- Schedule: Construction 12-18 months, targeting summer 2027 operation to meet NV Energy capacity needs.
- Public Comments: None.
Key Outcomes
- Item 8A: Motion by Rob, second by Pack Caldwell to approve with conditions in Exhibit A, making all five findings per Washoe County Code Section 110.810.30. Passed unanimously (all ayes).
- Item 8B: Motion by Rob, second by Julian to approve with conditions in Exhibit A, making all five findings per Section 110.810.30 and additional natural resource findings per Section 110.810.35, and granting parking and landscaping standard waivers. Passed unanimously.
Other Business
- Training Session: Announced for January 15, 2026 at 10:00 AM (joint with Planning Commission) in the Mount Rose conference room; sandwiches provided. Zoom link available.
- Appeal Update: On December 16, 2025, the County Commission affirmed the Board of Adjustment’s denial of the Sanctuary of God Church special use permit.
Meeting Transcript
Good morning, everyone. I'd like to call the Washoe County Board of Adjustment January 526 meeting to order. May we please have a determination of quorum? Peter Gashon. Present. Rob Pierce. Present. Kathy Julian. Present. Patrick Caldwell. Present. Leo Harishni. Present. We have a quorum. Thank you. Uh if you would all please stand and join us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Under God. All right. Mr. Lehman, please have the ethics law announcement. Board members are reminded that if with respect to any matter or any person coming before the board today, that one, you have received a gift or loan, two, you have a pecuniary interest. Three, you have a commitment in a private capacity, such as a family and family employment, business, or other similar relationship, or four, you provided representation or counseling before an agency to a person or entity for compensation within the last year on a matter being considered. Board members are also reminded that under the Board of Adjustment Rules, if you had any contact outside this meeting with persons interested in a matter coming before the board today, you should disclose the nature of that contact at this meeting. Zoom instructions. To attend this meeting via Zoom, please log into the Zoom webinar link or webinar using the link found on the agenda. You can also join the meeting by typing in Zoom.us into your computer browser, clicking join a meeting on the Zoom website and entering this meeting ID. 872 1567 5749. Alternatively, you can join the meeting via telephone only by dialing 1669-900-9128, entering the meeting ID 872-15675749 and pressing pound. For those wishing to provide public comment via Zoom, log into Zoom webinar using the link on the agenda and utilize the raise hand feature during any public comment period to provide public comment comment via telephone via telephone only. Press star nine to raise hand and star six to mute slash unmute. Thank you. Mr. Lloyd, the appeal procedure, please. Most decisions rendered by the Board of Adjustment are appealable to the Board of County Commissioners. If you disagree with the decision of the Board of Adjustment and qualify as an agreed person or party, you may appeal in writing within 10 calendar days from the date that the decision be an appeal is reduced to writing, filed with the Secretary of the Board of Adjustment and mailed to the original applicant in the proceeding being appealed in accordance with Washoe County Code. Please call the planning staff immediately at 775-328-6100 for information on the appeal procedure and the application fee. Thank you. There is no public comment via Zoom or in chambers. Okay, and uh has everyone reviewed today's agenda? Any comments, questions, changes? I'll entertain a motion. This is Rob. I move to accept as written. This is Pat Caldwell second. Okay, we have a motion and a second. All those in favor of approving the January 5th, 2026 agenda, please say aye. Aye. Aye. Any opposed, say nay. Okay, motion passes.
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